Boots UK
Category Assistant

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Contract: Permanent
Shift pattern: Standard hours, full time
Salary: Competitive
Closing date: 31st July 2026
Recruitment Partner: Joanne Walker joanne.walker2@boots.com
Are you ready to make a difference?
Join us at Boots as a Commercial Assistant in our General Merchandise Business Unit: Category team, based in Nottingham, Beeston.
Due to an internal promotion, Boots Opticians have an exciting opportunity within the Commercial team for a full-time Category Assistant. This role is key enabler to enhancing the efficiency of the Commercial team and driving business performance. If you are somebody who is looking to kickstart a career within a fast-paced Commercial function, or you’re simply looking for a new challenge, this could be the role for you!
What you’ll be doing
Reporting into the Category & Trading Manager, the Category Assistant supports every team within the function including Buying, Trading and Merchandising. Not only will you deal with a broad and varied supplier base, you’ll also work closely with other internal teams such as Marketing, Operations and our stores.
Key responsibilities
- Building and maintaining great relationships with suppliers, stores and the wider Boots Opticians teams
- New product set up across frames, lenses, contact lenses and accessories
- Investigation and resolution of store queries
- Management and execution of supplier invoicing
- New supplier set up
- Performance and Supplier reporting
- Conducting competitor reviews and preparing market reports to share with the team
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
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Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What you’ll need to have (our must-haves)
- Completer-Finisher with a good attention to detail who can organise and prioritise their workload effectively to meet deadlines
- Team Player – effectively working with others to field support queries and resolve issues for stores, working with internal functions and supply chain service providers
- Effective Communicator – you effectively communicate with different stakeholders, at different levels across various teams, both verbally and in writing.
- Inquisitive – a key part of the role is resolving issues for stores and customers, which requires an ability to ask relevant questions to understand the root causes of issues. You will need to identify common trends in queries and issues and suggest improvements
- Analytical skills - you have proven data analytics skills
It would be great if you also have
- Previous experience in a Commercial function
Where your brilliance can take you
At Boots, we believe in your potential. With our commitment to your development, you’ll have opportunities to grow your career and take on new challenges within the company.
Rewards designed for you
- Boots Retirement Savings Plan (up to 12% company contribution)
- Generous employee discounts for you and a family member
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay
- Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.


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There’s lots more in our benefits and discounts, MyBoosts – there to give you that little lift in your everyday. Find out more at http://boots.jobs/rewards. Exclusions may apply; eligible roles only.
A Bit About Us
At Boots, we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer, creating a place where everyone feels welcome, supported, and free to be themselves. We believe that when our people feel valued and included, they thrive, so we're committed to creating a brilliant Boots for our people so they can make a difference for our customers and colleagues every time.
What’s next?
If you apply, our team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application or to arrange next steps. Where a role is advertised as full-time, we are open to discussing part-time and job share options. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you be at your best.
Boots is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis.
We hope to hear from you soon. Be brilliant with Boots.
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